Waylander II:In The Realm Of The Wolf by David Gemmell

in ten thousand sharp swords. Look at Karnak. He ordered the assassination of the great hero Egel, and now he rules in his place, revered, even loved. He is the force in the Drenai world. Does the lady love him?’
    Belash shrugged. ‘Karnak is a great man - for all his faults - and he fights for the land, so maybe she does. And no man truly knows whether Karnak ordered Egel’s killing.’
    I know, thought Morak, remembering the moment when he stood over the great man’s bed and plunged the dagger into his right eye.
    Oh yes, I know.
    It was close to midnight when Waylander returned. Angel was sitting beside the fire, Miriel was asleep in the back room. Waylander lifted the lock-bar into place on the iron brackets of the door then undipped the quiver from his belt, laying it on the table beside his ebony crossbow. Angel glanced up. The only light in the room came from the flickering fire, and in its glow Waylander seemed an eldritch figure surrounded by dancing demon shadows.
    Silently, Waylander lifted clear his black leather baldric, with its three throwing knives, then untied the two forearm sheaths, placing the weapons upon the table. Two more knives came from hidden scabbards in his knee-length moccasins. At last he walked to the fire and sat down opposite the former gladiator.
    Angel sat back, his pale eyes watching the warrior, observing his tension.
    ‘I see you fought Miriel,’ said Waylander.
    ‘Not for long.’
    ‘No. How many times did you knock her down?’
    ‘Twice.’
    Waylander nodded. ‘The tracks were not easy to read. Your footprints were deeper than hers, but they overlaid one another.’
    ‘How did you know I knocked her down?’
    ‘The ground was soft, and I found where her elbow struck the earth. You beat her easily.’
    ‘I defeated thirty-seven opponents in the arena. You think a girl should best me?’
    Waylander said nothing for a moment. Then: ‘How good was she?’
    Angel shrugged. ‘She would survive against an unskilled swordsman, but the likes of Morak, or Senta? She’d be dead within seconds.’
    ‘She’s better than me,’ said Waylander. ‘And I would survive against them for longer than that.’
    ‘She’s better than you when you practise,’ replied Angel. ‘You and I both know the difference between that and the reality of combat. She is too tense. Danyal once told me of the test you set her. You recall?’
    ‘How could I forget?’
    ‘Well, were you to try it with Miriel she would fail. You know that, don’t you?’
    ‘Perhaps,’ admitted Waylander. ‘How can I help her?’
    ‘You can’t.’
    ‘But you could.’
    ‘Yes. But why would I?’
    Waylander threw a fresh chunk of wood to the coals, remaining silent as the first yellow flames licked at the bark. His dark gaze swung to Angel. ‘I am a rich man, Caridris. I will pay ten thousand in gold.’
    ‘I notice you don’t live in a palace,’ remarked Angel.
    ‘I choose to live here. I have merchants looking after my investments. I will give you a letter to one of them in Drenan. He will pay you.’
    ‘Even after you are dead?’
    ‘Even then.’
    ‘I don’t intend to fight for you,’ said Angel. ‘Understand? I will be a tutor to your daughter, but that is all.’
    ‘I need no one to fight for me,’ snapped Waylander. ‘Not now. Not ever.’
    Angel nodded. ‘I accept your offer. I will stay and teach her, but only so long as I believe she is learning. When the day comes - as it will - when I can teach her no more, or she cannot learn, then I leave. Is that agreeable?’
    ‘It is.’ Waylander rose and moved to the rear wall. Angel watched him press his palm against a flat stone, then reach inside a hidden compartment. Waylander turned and tossed a heavy pouch across the room. Angel caught it, and heard the chink of metal within. ‘There is a part-payment,’ said Waylander.
    ‘How much?’
    ‘Fifty gold Raq.’
    Td have undertaken the task for this alone. Why pay so much more?’
    ‘You